What We Need Now Is More Volunteers
Dem Organizing Director on Flipping CA-10 in November
Lucia Nuñez is determined to raise hell in American politics. A feminist and environmentalist, with a degree from the all-women’s Scripps College, Nuñez moved to Modesto in November 2017 to become the California Democratic Party’s Organizing Director for CA-10. There could not have been a hotter seat for a young woman to enter a career in politics than California’s District 10. One of the most intense congressional races in the country with high stakes for the midterm elections, it has been in the national spotlight for over a year. Buoyant and inspiring, Nuñez attracted and coordinated thousands of volunteers who flocked to the district on weekends to canvass in Modesto, Manteca, and Riverbank.
The really nerve-racking moment came the day of the primary. With five Democratic candidates and a Republican challenger on the ballot, tensions ran high. After the unprecedented organizing activity in CA-10, thousands of local and Bay Area volunteers knocking on doors and registering new voters for months, and the impressive GOTV turnout, there was widespread anxiety and fear that Democrats would be locked out of the primary, with Jeff Denham and Ted Howze left to compete in the midterms. The Democratic front-runner Josh Harder’s lead hovered between 1% and 3% for nearly two weeks until Howze finally conceded victory to Harder. Along with the folks from several Democratic groups working in shifts, Nuñez kept daily watch over the ballot counting at the Stanislaus County Registrar’s office.
Now that the primary is over, with a sigh of relief and a new lilt in her voice, Nuñez is gearing up for the next task — defeating Jeff Denham in November. The California Democratic Party and Harder’s campaign will soon appoint a Field Director. “What we really need is a lot more volunteers,” says Nuñez . No matter how well crafted and powerful the campaign message, there is no substitute for delivering it face-to-face. Nuñez is grateful for all the volunteers who came out to CA-10 to create great energy and ensure that a Democrat is poised to run in the midterm elections. She will need a lot more people showing up to get Harder into Congress in November. Let’s help Nuñez raise real hell!
